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Shares in Chinese hotpot chain Haidilao sizzle on Hong Kong debut by Staff Writers Hong Kong (AFP) Sept 26, 2018 China's premier hotpot chain Haidilao International soared as much as 10.3 percent in early trading on its Hong Kong debut Wednesday after raising nearly $1 billion in its initial public offering. Shares opened at HK$18.80 ($2.40), up from an IPO price of HK$17.80 which was already at the top end of its target range, and reached HK$19.64 at one point. The Sichuan hotpot operator is known for its good customer service -- a rarity in China -- with queuing diners provided with snacks, tea and even manicures. The restaurant operator said it would use proceeds from the offering to push its global expansion, repay loans and improve food safety-related technology. The chain has run into trouble before, with a Beijing outlet under fire last year over allegations of a rat-infested kitchen and dirty dishes. Zhang Yong, 47, founded the chain in 1994 after years working in a tractor factory in southwest Sichuan province. Zhang earned 14 million yuan ($2 million) stewarding the company last year, according to a company prospectus. The chain has kept to its roots and boiling chili pepper-laden water to cook frozen meat remains a fan favourite. It has expanded rapidly, adding more than 30 restaurants per year since 2015. Revenue has also jumped, with its 341 restaurants earning 647 million yuan on sales of 7.3 billion yuan for the six months ending in June.
International study suggests ancient globalization Orlando FL (SPX) Sep 21, 2018 Using energy consumption as a measure, a team of international scientists has found that ancient civilizations engaged in globalization more than previously believed, suggesting that an integrated global economy is nothing new and may have benefited societies for ages. This archaeological research is the first of its kind, because instead of focusing on specific regions or cultures, it used radiocarbon dating to examine human societies on a broader and longer-term scale. The findings are the ... read more
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